We’re just one month into 2022 and there’s already so much to talk about. Check out our first entry of the Hult Center Notebook. An ongoing series where we give you some insight to what’s on our playlists.
Daniel Olbrych – Design and Content Coordinator
Rose Betts: Far from my usual add to playlist selection is the short, honest, and sweet folk song “Driving Myself Home” by Rose Betts. It’s only 2 minutes and then afterwards give a listen to her rendition of “Song to the Siren” … she’s got some range.
Cloud Cult: Stumbled upon Cloud Cult via their new release “One Way Out of a Hole.” This orchestral indie mashup is a gem. And they get bonus points for transporting me back 20 years to when The Polyphonic Spree ruled my CD player. After a little wiki-digging I’m awarding them even more bonus points because Cloud Cult debuted five years before the ‘Spree, in 1995.
Uwade: Also on heavy repeat is this past month is “Do You See The Light Around Me?” by Uwade. The 22-year-old Nigerian American is crazy good.
Blake Argotsinger – Marketing Manager
Kishi Bashi: I’ve always been a fan of Kishi Bashi. When I worked at a performing arts center in Iowa I advocated to bring Kishi Bashi with Strings to our theater along with Tall Tall Trees. I enjoyed every minute of the performance and have been following both artists since. Kishi Bashi has popped up on my radar for a project with the Seattle Symphony marking the 80th anniversary of Executive Order 9066, which saw the incarceration of thousands of innocent Japanese Americans during the Second World War. Kishi Bashi explored these themes and what it means to be a Japanese-American today in his 2019 album and songfilm, Omoiyari. I love seeing his project continue with the Seattle Symphony. In addition to the concert, Seattle Symphony is presenting “Pictures of Executive Order 9066,” an immersive, self-guided video experience with award-winning filmmaker JJ Gerber and photographs by Dorothea Lange and oral histories supplied by Densho.
Abbey Aronica – Marketing Coordinator
UNHhhh with Trixie and Katya: I am a religious follower of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and two of my favorite drag race alum (Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova) just finished season 6 of their hilarious YouTube series “UNHhhh”. They cover quite literally every topic you could ever imagine and their commentary with each other absolutely kills me. There are currently 173 episodes and I honestly don’t think I’ve watched one that I didn’t love. I would not suggest watching with your little ones due to some strong language. But I can’t recommend this series enough.
Trixie Mattel: This Town” by Trixie Mattel ft. Shakey Graves – Sorry not sorry, here comes more Trixie Mattel (aka Brian Firkus)! I have been on a real Trixie kick lately and apart from being a superstar drag queen/comedienne/author, Trixie is also an established singer. This new track featuring Shakey Graves really resonated with me and totally reminded me of growing up surrounded by small, rural towns and wanting to go out into the world. The music video is a lot of clips of Brian as a young teen and just made me feel super emotional and nostalgic. This is a super authentic song that just really touched me and I had to watch it 5 times in a row, crying on my couch. Just listen to it and you’ll know what I mean.
Rich Hobby – Director of Marketing
JUNGLE: It’s a new year and I often find that I spend much of January trying to scan over all the “best-of” lists to help validate my exceptional taste (😉) as well as discover those rare artists I somehow overlooked. I must apparently be in a toe tapping mood as I’ve become obsessed with the album “Loving in Stereo” by JUNGLE and its lead track “Keep Moving”. It’s got just the right kind of bump to motivate for the new year. The rest of the album is a fine collection of smoothly produced jams and makes for a great start to any morning.
Wig Wam: We started watching PEACEMAKER and our entire household is infatuated with the opening credit choreography paired with the shredder “Do You Wanna Taste It” by Swedish glam rockers Wig Wam. The pairing is just too good to describe and has to be watched with your own peepers. Just let us know if you want to join in a recreation at any point…